The Horseshoe Point

Since the 1998 movie, the phrase “horse whisperer,” or some variation thereof, has become ubiquitous in pop culture, from Cesar Milan’s Dog Whisperer to Jennifer Love Hewitt’s Ghost Whisperer. However, the training method itself is a serious issue that was quite innovative when it was first introduced. The earliest known practitioner was Daniel Sullivan, an Irish trainer working in England in the 17^th century. Sullivan was able to rehabilitate vicious and disturbed horses otherwise thought lost. The American horseman Willis J. Powell took Sullivan as his role-model in the early 19^th century, when he wrote Tachyhippodamia; or, The New Secret of Taming Horses. John Solomon Rarey studied with Powell and was the one to finally share the secrets with the world. (more…)

Training a horse isn’t a simple task, but it’s also not the dangerous, violent exercise it once was. That’s because the whipping and rodeo antics of the Wild West have largely given way to a more considerate and reciprocal form of training. Some call it horse whisperingothers call it natural horsemanship. Whatever you call it, it’s the philosophy that many trainers today are promoting. These tips from trainers at AlphaHorse.com and Frank Bell, Horse Whisperer exemplify these new techniques.Jeffrey Rolo from AlphaHorse says that light slaps or verbal growls are acceptable ways to deal with undisciplined horses, especially young ones who haven’t been trained. A physical slap will not really hurt a horse, but will send the message that you have expectations for him. A form of discipline which requires no harsh moves on your part, however, is to march the horse around a round pen. This eliminates the horse’s physical advantage and shows him that you are capable of getting what you want from him. (more…)